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It's nice to be back in the Premier League this weekend and back to the business at hand as opposed to all this business about a handball. FIFA's influence on the week's events has muddied their fair play policy in all the wrong ways, some games are fairer than others, eh Sepp? But FIFA's true crime against the game came a few years ago when they endorsed the FIFA console game. Park football has never been the same since.
Every Sunday, in our weekly kickaround, nearly everyone on the pitch (yes, me included) tries to pull off the edge of the box side on volley into the top corner that is common place in the computer game. Without exception, each one of these shots turns into either an air kick, or flies forth to the heavens to get covered in snow before crashing back down to earth and leaving a 20 foot crater of its own making in the middle of the M6. This is no mean feat as our pitch is miles away from the M6.
Now Darren Fletcher has gone and done it in a real fixture. Now even more people will try it! Even more often! Ye Gods, I am ready to give up. Still, after all this talk about equine afterbirth Fergie’s lovechild has done well.
Much has been made about Everton’s injury problems but my goodness they are a team that works hard. There must have at least sixty passes in the first minute of this game and it reminds you of how fit top flight players need to be. That is, of course, if your name is not Michael Owen.
Dammit. I have been trying to get behind Owen, his positioning is still first class but I fear his legs are truly gone. Mind you, for a cost of zero pence you’d still take a last minute winner in the derby I guess. We’ll probably buy in January.
Another team that will be buying in January are City. Most likely buying out the contract of their new manager after they shaft Hughsie. I am fighting back tears trying to come to terms with the result from Anfield that does neither side any good. There is a strong argument to say that if fourth place were awarded on merit it would go to Aston Villa right now. Unfortunately it isn’t, so anything could still happen. Go Sunderland.
At the top Chelsea are still looking good but I am cheered to hear that they are rearranging their back room staff mid-season again. It ain’t broke so of course it must be fixed. Welcome back Mr. Hiddink ,we do indeed need another cook in this kitchen, that always works. Next week they have Arsenal and we take on the mighty Portsmouth. Points should be made up. Let’s hope so.
Will Hargreaves play for United again? This is the question that keeps me awake at night. Your thoughts gentleman….
Comments
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Posted by parjo on 11/22/2009
Will Hargreaves play for United again? I think it's a 'yes', but will he still the same player he used to be, I think it's a 'no', just look Mickey Owen.
About Fletcher, I remember years ago when SAF played him at right and he claimed he's better center of the midfield, just like Beckham wanted years before, now we know that Fletcher was right.
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Posted by Wala on 11/22/2009
While watching the match, someone exclaimed, "If only Fletcher was handsome, then he would be god-like."
He's pure gold at the moment. Will Hargreaves be able to usurp his position? Unlikely since he's banging in goals as well as tackles.
Owen was hilarious in the match.
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Posted by Hernán on 11/22/2009
me encanta este manchester, saludos desde Panamá. I am more convince than ever that the tittle is ours, this fletcher, carrick, anderson combo is really good and obertan, valencia in the wings are fantastics. But i don't know what will happen to nani :( he sometimes plays good, but sometimes is not enough; with all the quality players in reserves and in the bench he have to stop masturbating or having sex because he is kind of tired and dumb in the pitch; although i love his celebration. Hargreaves will be like a new player when he comes back, i know he will play well and we really don't need any new players but; Does anybody else wanna see van der vaart, silva or villa in this club? or is just me? sorry for the english is not my first language.
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Posted by folgers24 on 11/22/2009
i cant even count how many times i butchered a 'flectcher" shot,, i wish i could have seen the beeming i told you so smile that must have been plastered on SAF face after the brilliant strike
Hargreaves will be bak, and influencial ( as long as his hair is still as waivy as ever) his heart and talent on set pieces will come in handy but he will wont be a standout player
Hopefully January comes along with a draw atop of the EPL and David villa in a man utd jersey
Rooney and Villa.. best striker duo in the world?!?!
and p.s
evra for winger of the year! o waiit he plays defense!?!
puure class!!
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Posted by awshubbar on 11/22/2009
Bench for the Everton game included: Obertan, De Laet, Anderson, Welbeck, and Gibson. (Rafael was in the starting XI)
If Hargreaves dosen't come back, the fledglings will take over, np.
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Posted by Mish on 11/22/2009
Players like Rosicky and Joe Cole have come back after being out of the game for more than a year, so why not Hargreaves? He seems to be a player with natural stamina and im sure he can get back to playing at a high level.
I feel he can be a crucial player for United, but with the squad we have there's no point in bringing him back before he is 100% fit.
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Posted by MU fan. on 11/22/2009
Fletcher is just improving, in a godlike speed. Perhaps thats why, SAF did great effort to bring Fletcher into ManUtd. That strike was awesome, and I am sure it will be one of the best goals in the world.
About Hargreaves, I guess SAF will not let him start when he comes back, for the first few weeks, or months. He will be like Obertan, coming in slowly. We don't have to worry about him, because I know SAF will surely make good use of him.
Whats really worrying me is the lack of confidence to score in the players. They just pass around, trying to wait for a chance. Counter Attack are always slowing down. No one really dares to challenge the defenders, and have a shot. I guess this have to change, in order for us to finish the weaker opponents faster, so we can rest some of the players, and play the youngsters to gain experience.
And, hopefully, Obertan takes over Nani. Obertan has the pace, the skill, and most importantly, he passes alot more than Nani, accurate passes.
ManUtd Forever.
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Posted by Jaikishen on 11/23/2009
What Michael Owen needs is confidence of his manager.. if SAF can give it, i am sure that Owen will respond with more goals than berbatov and rooney put together cuz thats what he is capable of and we all know it...
I would love to see Hargreaves in action again... he is much better in midfield than anderson in my opinion... also being a utility player, he can play in just about any position...
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Posted by nathan on 11/23/2009
Tosic needs some time on the left wing. Damn you crotchedy old Fox for not playing him. Hargreaves and Fletcher probably gives us our best center midfield this season, or either player with Scholes (for 60 minutes) against teams not named Chelsea, Man City, Inter, Barcelona, etc..
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Posted by Kelvin on 11/23/2009
Good for Fletcher...and all the unspectacular...hardworking...team oriented unsung heroes of Man United over the years.
No flash car ...no flash trophy girl....no drunken brawls.....at least not publicly.
This is the kind of player and team I am happy to love and support.
Yes, we were much more deadly on the counter when Ronaldo and Rooney both sprinted out from defense....but I am happy to lose some "deadliness"...and gain team spirit...unselfishiness....good work and game ethics.
Let the youngsters have their blooding and take over the responsibilities....if we are not going to win this season.....we'll be in damn good shape in a season or two when those "buy a team from scratch" oldies of chelsea lose their legs.
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Posted by HC Lam on 11/24/2009
I've had Fletcher in my fantasy football team since the beginning of the season. And he rightfully justified his selection in the team many times over...actually since last season. I was shattered when he couldn't play in the Champs League final agst Barcelona. Who knows what the outcome could have been if he played!
I am also awaiting anxiously for the return of Hargreaves. He did very well for us in 2007/2008 leading to the league and Champs League titles. And we do need his set piece skill even more now.
Let's hope Sir Alex goes in and get us another decent striker in January. What we are lacking this season is the decisive killer instinct in the penalty box. We really need someone with the caliber of Van Nisterooy to take the pressure off Rooney. Then we'll bang in all the goals we need to win the treble again...if not the quadruple!
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Posted by Nathan Chidiebele Nwabuisi on 11/24/2009
I,ll continue to remember that Fletcher strike(Against EVERTON) for a very long time to come
Sure! Hargreaves will still play 4 MU depending on SAF decision on him, but I must be frank with myself and every MAN UTD. fan, We may still do without Hargreaves this season 'cos we have enough players in our disposal in the midfield for the rest of the season(Fletcher, Carrick,Anderson,Giggs,Scholes etc. will all come in handy),The winger(Valencia & Oberton) are now blending well with the midfielders But I'm afraid because our problems now lies in the attack were we have score the least numbers of goals to compare with any of the TOP 4 Teams, Owen has past his prime, Babertov is too slow for my likening so we needs a decent striker (David Villa or Luis Fabiano) to compliment Rooneys power upfront. SAF pls., get us another Top striker in January to help tapn in the goals.
I kept on saying it "THIS SEASON'S NOT OVER YET!"
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Posted by manofmanu on 11/24/2009
Obertan showed up & saved us from the agony of watching a very shameful deplay of nani.
SAF should not hope nani impove. That guy has lost track for good. For me he is a disgrace to utd. The weakest link. A disaster for the club.
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Posted by Luis Smith on 11/25/2009
Luis Fabiano, I think. By the way, what happened to Berbatov? He's not performing at his top level.
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Posted by samson makando on 11/25/2009
good comment as a player to think.
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Posted by byRd_TT on 11/25/2009
i must admit that i was against Fletcher during his early years. I hate him the way I hate Nani now. But it seems that he has now riped, and become valuable player. He proves me wrong.
Speaking of Nani, I hate the boy. He doesn't seems to have the attitude to surpass whatever blocking him now. It seems that he's always the shadow of CR7 that he need to follow or overcome. He should realize that he was,is,and will be different species. He has better crossing skills, and he should optimize it. I wish he could again proves us all wrong.
------
And I agreed that we're not as deadly as we used with CR7. He likes to run at defenders, and try *!?Q! ... and he got the skills to do that. Yeah, we play more like a team, but it lacks the estacy I have known. Down the years, we used to have Schmeichel -> Beckham -> Cole & Yorke -> Goals.
That's the elements we are lacking now.
And lastly Hargo, I dont think he'll be the same. In his position, he need the strength, and i doubt it will be there.
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Posted by hafis olalekan on 11/25/2009
my comment is that if he comes back he can be in his best because his a good player before he got injury, and the coach said that he as been trainig with the other player i think that would help him a lot so i will like him to come back in a good mood is a good mildfilder and if he comes to utd squared he will bring something good to utd.
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Posted by bmbarna on 11/25/2009
His strike reminded me of Zidane's full volley off a ballooned cross from Roberto Carlos in the 02/03 Champs League final against Leverkusen... Both were magnificent.
Hargreaves will play again, I don't think he'll be able to get back to the top of his game though. Tendinitis is a degenerative condition and is completely different from the damage Joe Cole, Rosicky, and even Eduardo, had. There's no set fix and there's no guarantee it will ever go away. I certainly hope he can compete but he's still a massive fight for fitness and regaining his touch before he's ready for the first team.
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Posted by michael on 11/25/2009
Hargreaves will play for united again as soon as he's fit (that is if he ever gets fit). chelsea are going to blow their lead in the upcoming months leading to United's fourth in as many. The Carling is ours for the taking and so is the FA Cup. The champions league has been full of surprises and I think the next one is going to be Barcelona and Real's crashing out in the group stages. Money cant buy chemistry and real are going to prove it this year (city already have... 6 draws in there last six) UNITED FOR THE QUADRUPLE.
UNITED!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by Parry Pants on 11/27/2009
hey mark--insightful to the core--
nothing roars the stretford end wilder than what darren fletcher did that night!!( it was all party way back home...)
michael owen runs fast and pretty early--he should try to get some calm rom Berbatov----and berbatov better steal owen's positioning--OWEN guy s alwways up to the keeper!!-
i doubt that hargreaves' knees are feeling any better....he was scheduled to show up at stamford bridge------
And yes!! the big Fergie buy comes in January--- speculated yaya toure----well ! Presumptuous RED Minds will be apprehensive on his role in the mids-----
whats your take , Mark?
SPOT ON MARK--!!!
keep writing--
MUFC for Eternity!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by ali baboo on 11/27/2009
hargreave is on e of the best midfield in premier league, he will be back to his best and he will strike on his fisrt game.definitely needs another striker to support rooney and score goal, i will say David Villa or Ribery will be a good combination at the front. SAF needs to sell Nani and focus on all cups. he can beat anyone in the world, United has proved it before. Berbatov needs to pick up the pace otherwise ,will have to sell him too.SAF is a very clever manager, he will improve the team and prove everyone wrong. he is giving younger a chance to shine and that where united improve and be the best in the game.Micheal Owen will be the best amoung the best united player, he will score more goals and match winning goal in the derby game
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Posted by we need goals on 11/28/2009
Hargraves will be back!!! I think he is taking his time so that when he does come back he will be ready to shine. He will bring so much versatility to United. He plays well at centre mid right mid and right back. Played very well for us in the champions league a few seasons back if anyone remembers that. January must bring a new striker if we are to overtake chelsea. Berbatov slows down the game and doesnt bring enough goals consistantly. Owen cant create on his own, great positional sense but not even the poacher i was hoping for. We need a striker that will bring twenty goals a season alongside rooney, please Sir Alex. Fletcher is the 3rd man on the starting 11 after rooney and van der sar. Thanks Mark GO UNITED
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Posted by boo.. on 12/01/2009
the nani dunno run where... the name nani represents where in chinese... it fits well for him.
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Posted by Patrice-Kigali on 12/01/2009
Hi Mark and all ManU fans.
Fletcher? He is the engine of the team at the moment. I hope he continues to be injury free.
Hago will be to his best but it will take time.
He needs to be introduced in the pitch slowly so that he builds momentum with time.
Obertan looks impressing but still has some way to go especially in pace and accurate attack passes.
We are certainly lacking in goal poachers but when you look at Macheda, he has the skills for the purpose and would do better if Furgie sharpens him in that respect.
Micheal Owen cost us northing and to be honest, i never espected him to be a hit. But I would still retain him in the team.
Berbatov; God; yes he had improved before being injured but i am still not satisfied with what he has done for us considering how much he came for and why he was bought.
A comparison of Thomas K and Forster shows Thomas is better.
Right back defender is needed. Oshea is a utility man. Brown is OK in central defence, G. Neville is gone!
ManU 4E
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Posted by Madalitso Maliwichi on 12/01/2009
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Posted by macharia. nairobi Kenya on 12/02/2009
wow its just wow
totenham came to this game thinking it was wigan but oh my they were taught a football lesson by the genius coach.
well done sir Fergie
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Posted by Murtaza on 12/03/2009
Hargreaves will come back and he will be as good as new. United are fantastic at getting long term injury players back to their best and ensure that they arent rushed. Giggs, Van Nistelrooy, Brown, Neville, Ole (age got him though), Keano have all come back with career threatening injuries for United as good as new (We even essentially bought Nistelrooy crocked)If Scholes, Van Der Sar were at a different club, theyd have retired long ago.
Obertan is also a similar example, the kid has been playing for the past few years with spinal injury! United's medical staff is top notch and much better than the Milan clinic. Lets see how any of them do with a prem season.
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Posted by ndaba on 12/03/2009
nani is a screw- up, as for when hargreaves will play, well, to be honest, i'm getting frustrated too coz i know what he is capable of. we sorely miss him!! as for Fletcher, well...i'm utterly speechless! that boy is a genius, his insightful, defense-splitting passes prove that everyday, no wonder I don't miss Ronaldo!
Posted by Siti Suhaila Bte Jubre on 12/06/2009
I like manchesterd united u are the best team i like good job man u i love u all because u have win yeah
Posted by bobby on 12/17/2009
owen hargreave will come back and still do his thing,bcx he's a player with high moral on the pitch....
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About
Mark Payne is a freelance journalist and general football obsessive. He has written for a host of travel, business and lifestyle publications and has also contributed to some second-rate TV shows.
His constant United ramblings can be found at www.thedevilinme.co.uk and he can be contacted for football discussion at any time via markpayne.editor@hotmail.com.
He thinks Clayton Blackmore was underrated.
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